Lightning claims six lives

At least six people were killed and seven injured in separate lightning incidents in different places of the State which was lashed by heavy rains together with thunder, official sources said today.

Two women working in the field died and five others were injured when lightning struck near Gunthupada under Aska police limits in Ganjam district last evening, they said.

The deceased were identified as Sumumari (33) of Gunthupada and Sailabala Sethi (35) of Jhagadei village. The injured were admitted to Aska hospital.

A 42-year-old farm labourer Santosh Pradhan was killed in lightning at Sathiabati village under Mahakalpada police station limit in Kendrapara district last evening, police said.

Two daily labourers were killed when lightning hit two different places in Keonjhar district last afternoon. They were identified as Deaitari Naik (29) of Jhumpura village and Ratiranjan Mohanta (30) of Tolonkabahal.

A youth was killed and two others were injured in lightning in Athagarh block of Cuttack district yesterday afternoon.

The deceased was identified as Chandan Nayak (20) of Kantabarei village. The injured are undergoing treatment in Athagarh hospital, sources said. (PTI)